Re: Zero: We Are Venom

As Subaru and Julius reached the fourth floor of the City Hall, they found Anastasia standing in the center of the room. She had her arms crossed, and though her usual merchant-like demeanor tried to shine through, her face was unmistakably burdened with stress.

When she saw them, her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Oh? I was expectin' you two to be wallowin' in depression, but here you are, lookin' like you've still got some fight left in you. Guess as a merchant, I can't think like a knight, huh?"

Her attempt at light humor didn't mask the weariness on her face.

Suddenly, Venom detached himself from Subaru, appearing in his full, towering, inky-black form.

"That's because Venom is here to help!" he declared in a loud, goofy tone, his grin wide.

Anastasia's face went pale, and she let out a startled scream. Venom immediately joined in, mimicking her scream, though his was louder and far more dramatic.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The bizarre duet continued for several seconds before Anastasia, clutching her chest, managed to calm herself down. Venom tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled. "Did you see a demon or something? You scared me a little!"

Anastasia's lips twitched, still somewhat shaken. "That's what I could say… It just came out of Subaru-kun!"

Subaru sighed, waving his hand. "Yeah, uh, about that. This is Venom. He's my new ally and contracted spirit. He's… unique, but he's on our side."

Anastasia raised an eyebrow but quickly composed herself. "I see. I'm sorry for judgin' you by your appearance. Thank you for helpin' us, Venom."

Venom shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh, no biggie. You're welcome, though!"

Her demeanor softened slightly, but the weight of their situation kept her from fully relaxing. She properly introduced herself, though her usual cheer was muted. "Anastasia Hoshin, merchant extraordinaire—though I don't feel much like one right now, considerin' the mess we're in."

"Don't sweat it," Venom said, brushing off her gratitude.

Anastasia turned to Julius, her tone slightly more business-like. "Yeah, thought so. Julius, things with Crusch-san seem kinda busy right now, don't they?"

Julius nodded. "Anastasia-sama, Subaru and Venom saved Crusch-sama. She has returned to normal and is resting now, though it will take some time before she can join us."

Anastasia's eyes lit up with relief. "Thank goodness. At least we know she'll be able to lend us a hand later. That's a weight off my shoulders."

Subaru, however, frowned, his thoughts elsewhere. "Where's Garfiel? I haven't seen him anywhere."

Anastasia sighed, rubbing her temple. "That child's been searchin' the whole city for you. He refused to stop, even when I told him it was too dangerous. He kept sayin' he couldn't smell your scent anymore and thought somethin' terrible happened to you."

Subaru groaned. "That idiot…"

"Oops," Venom interjected. "That's probably my fault. I blocked Subaru's scent. Hold on, I'll release it now."

Before Subaru could protest, Venom released Subaru's scent into the air.

After a moment, Anastasia's expression grew more serious. "Julius, could you give us a moment? I have somethin' important to discuss with Subaru and Venom. Don't worry—I won't do anythin' bad."

Venom leaned toward her, grinning toothily. "Don't worry. If you try anything, I'll eat you."

Anastasia froze, her face pale. Julius's eyes widened in horror, but Venom laughed loudly. "Just kidding! Or am I?"

Subaru slapped the back of Venom's slimey body. "Stop that!"

Julius sighed and bowed. "Understood. I will leave you to it." He turned and left, though he seemed hesitant.

Subaru turned back to Anastasia, who was now stroking her hair and surveying the half-destroyed room. After a moment, she dragged a chair toward her and sat down.

"My, havin' a relaxin' chat like this with Natsuki-kun really takes me back," she said with a small smile. "All the way to the night before the battle with the White Whale."

Subaru leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. Back then, they were scheming, planning, and hopeful. Now, the air was heavy with uncertainty.

"…Back then, we had a plan," Subaru said quietly. "This time, we've got nothing. Even though we recaptured the City Hall, nothing's gotten better."

Anastasia nodded, her eyes clouded. "Yeah. Not only has nothin' changed, but everythin's gotten worse. And we've got no optimal course of action to follow…"

The room fell silent, the gravity of their predicament weighing heavily on both of them.

Subaru's brows furrowed as Anastasia leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping a rhythm on the armrest. Her eyes flicked upward toward the ceiling—or perhaps beyond it—as she began to speak.

"Did ya ever end up hearin' the broadcast after yer operation?" she asked, her tone as casual as ever, but the weight behind her words was unmistakable.

Subaru's stomach dropped, and Venom's usual goofy demeanor shifted slightly. The symbiote straightened up, his voice unusually serious.

"Yes, we heard about it from the Ego Queen," Venom said, his slimy head tilting. "And now I understand why you sent Julius out."

Subaru blinked, glancing between Venom and Anastasia. "Wait, what? What are you talking about?"

Venom's head swiveled toward Anastasia, his eyes narrowing as he pointed a clawed finger at her. "You better show yourself. I can feel you in this hall. You can't fool me."

Subaru flinched, his gaze darting around the room. "What are you saying? There's only three of us here!"

A light, almost playful voice suddenly echoed through the room.

"My my, Ana, didn't I tell you this guy could sense me? I'm actually impressed he figured me out from the very beginning. Perhaps I need to refine my hiding skills."

Subaru froze.

"——!?"

The voice was unlike anything he'd heard before. It wasn't Venom's deep, male tone, nor was it Anastasia's usual lilting speech. It was soft, neutral, and carried a hint of mischief.

He whipped his head around, scanning the room frantically. Julius had left moments ago, and the entrance showed no sign of anyone entering. Yet the voice lingered as if its owner had been there the entire time.

Anastasia smirked, her casual demeanor unshaken. "Ya say that, but don't'cha think you're doin' the same thing Venom did to me? Look at poor Natsuki-kun. He's all confused now."

"Oh, that will not do at all," the voice replied, a playful lilt in its tone. "Allow me to make amends, child."

Subaru clenched his fists. "That—who is…!?"

Anastasia glanced at him, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Settle down, Natsuki-kun. There's no need to panic. You've already met her… kinda."

Venom's voice broke through the rising tension, his tone now impatient. "Enough games. Come out already."

"My, my. You do seem quite angry. My apologies."

Subaru's eyes darted around wildly. And then—

He saw it.

The source of the voice. The fourth party in the room who had been there from the beginning, unseen yet undeniably present.

It wasn't a person standing in the corner. Nor was it an intruder lurking behind furniture.

It was Anastasia's scarf.

The luxurious piece of faux fox fur that had been wrapped around her neck since the moment they entered the room now moved, its ends curling upward. Its "face" turned toward Subaru with an eerily human expression—a smile that was at once soft and unsettling.

"My name is Echidna," it said, its tone calm and collected. "Well, I say that… but what I really am is an Artificial Spirit."

Subaru staggered back, his voice caught in his throat. "Echi—!?"

The scarf—no, Echidna—smiled wider, her lips curling up in an almost too-perfect imitation of human expression.

"I've been here the entire time, watching and waiting," she continued, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

Venom leaned closer, examining her with a critical gaze. "Huh. You're smaller than I expected. I Thought you'd be scarier."

Echidna's smile didn't falter. "And you're far less refined than I anticipated, but here we are."

Venom chuckled. "She talks a lot, huh? I like her."

Subaru's gaze was fixed on the scarf—no, the Spirit—before him, his chest tightening as he tried to make sense of the absurdity. His memories of that Echidna flooded back: the Witch of Greed with her alluring smile, sweet words, and insidious ambitions. He couldn't forget her no matter how much he wanted to.

For a moment, he simply stared, forgetting even to breathe.

Echidna tilted her head, her fox-like "face" mimicking a playful smirk. "Although I had been anticipating this kind of reaction, it's still a bit overwhelming. Even though I may look like this, I am, by gender, a woman… Well, no, I am a Spirit, so it's difficult to determine whether I have a gender. Perhaps I should simply say I identify as female?"

Venom chuckled, his tongue flicking out briefly. "Ha! Same here! I'm genderless, but I prefer to think of myself as male. Nice to meet ya, scarf-fox lady!"

Subaru, meanwhile, couldn't take his eyes off her. The snow-white hair, the piercing black eyes, and the neutral voice all brought to mind a figure he would rather never see again—a woman made of nothing but black and white, with a personality as sharp as a knife.

He finally spoke, his voice low and wary. "What a… terrible joke. You're saying you're Echidna?"

He remembered his first encounter with the Witch of Greed vividly: her Tea Parties, the way she spoke with honeyed words, her insatiable curiosity, and the chilling way she sought to manipulate him. She had tried to turn him into her puppet, to make him willingly dance to her tune. Subaru shuddered at the thought.

The Spirit smiled, completely unbothered by his suspicion.

She had given him her name and disclosed her origins. Was that not proof that she was "Echidna of the Tea Party"? Which meant that she was not the "Echidna in the Coffin", the one Roswaal was seeking. And so, there was no doubt that she was the one Subaru had met. In that case, there were a mountain of questions he had for her.

Subaru's lips twisted into a grimace. "You… actually turned into a fox? Stop screwing around. And appearing now, during a moment like this—what are you scheming this time?"

Anastasia raised her hands in defense, her tone light but firm. "Now, now, Natsuki-kun, don't go jumpin' to conclusions. Listen to what she has to say first, will ya?"

Venom chimed in, his slimy head turning toward Subaru. "Buddy, you're barking up the wrong tree here. I've seen your memories. This Echidna ain't the same as the other one. Their auras? Totally different. Like comparing broccoli to chocolate cake!"

Subaru blinked, momentarily thrown off by Venom's bizarre comparison. "…What does that even mean?"

Venom waved a gooey hand. "It means she's not the same Witch-lady who messed with you, okay? Take it from me—this scarf isn't here to ruin your life. Probably."

Anastasia chuckled softly. "It's been over a decade since I first met Echidna. And since then, we've barely ever been apart. That's gotta mean somethin', right?"

Subaru's eyes narrowed. "Over a decade…?"

Echidna, still smiling, spoke calmly. "Although I have no clue whatsoever as to where your distrust of this other Echidna stems from, I would say those issues are completely unrelated to me."

Subaru clenched his fists. "What do you mean?"

The Spirit's fox-like face tilted upward thoughtfully. "It is a simple matter. I know nothing about any Echidna outside of myself. I was born knowing only two things: that I am an artificially-created Spirit, and my name. Beyond that, I have no knowledge of my origins."

Venom leaned in close, inspecting her with exaggerated curiosity. "Hmm… Yeah, she seems legit. But hey, scarf-lady, why do you have the same name as the Witch? Did someone decide it'd be funny to name you after a world-ending pain in the butt?"

Echidna's expression didn't change. "Perhaps. But I am not responsible for the decisions of others."

Venom grinned. "Fair enough! And hey, you're kinda cute for a talking scarf. Like a fluffy murder pillow."

Subaru groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Venom, can you be serious for one second?"

Venom threw up his hands. "I am being serious! Look, buddy, I get it. You're suspicious of her. But I've seen your memories, and I wouldn't lie to ya. This Echidna? She's not out to turn you into some tea party scammer. She's just… weird."

Subaru sighed deeply, glancing back at the Spirit. Though his instincts screamed at him to distrust her, Venom's words carried weight. As much as he hated to admit it, the symbiote's ability to sense intent was sharper than his own.

Anastasia tilted her head, her fox-scarf moving in tandem, as she observed Subaru's furrowed brow and suspicious glare. "Well, Natsuki-kun's expression's full of nothin' but suspicion."

Subaru crossed his arms and let out a sharp breath. "Of course it is. For me, who knows Echidna's true nature, this reaction is only natural." His words were pointed, each syllable laced with distrust.

Venom chimed in, his voice echoing in Subaru's mind as he leaned playfully forward. "Subaru met evil Echidna before, that's why he's having a hard time believing you're not her. It's like getting burned by hot chocolate and then refusing to trust marshmallows!"

Subaru shot Venom a side-eye glare but ignored him, his focus fixed on the Spirit wrapped around Anastasia. "Why would you tell me your name if you don't have any memories? There's no reason to do that… unless you're certain I know Echidna."

The fox-shaped Spirit didn't flinch at his accusation, her voice calm and measured. "I disclosed my name and origins simply because there is no merit in withholding them. Beyond that, I am as I have said—an artificially-created Spirit. What more proof do you require?"

Her neutrality only made Subaru's frustration grow. If she wasn't hiding anything, why did she bear the same name, the same voice, as the Witch who had once tried to consume him?

Anastasia sighed, brushing a lock of her silver hair back. "This ain't the time to dig so deep into the hows and whys, Natsuki-kun. The truth is, one of the Witch Cult's demands was somethin' only you and I could understand."

Subaru blinked, caught off guard. "Only me… and Anastasia-san?"

What could the two of them possibly have in common? Their interactions had been minimal, their relationship nothing more than passing acquaintances. Yet, Anastasia's tone was firm, her expression unwavering.

Venom cocked his head dramatically. "Oooh, are you talking about demand of Spirit thing?"

The fox answered bluntly. "Yes. Because one of their demands was 'Surrender your Artificial Spirits.'"

Subaru froze, her words hitting him like a bucket of cold water. His mind raced to process the implications. Artificial Spirits… like Beatrice. The Witch Cult's demands, the broadcast, everything seemed to connect in a way he hadn't considered before.

He completely forgot. 

"No way…" Subaru whispered, the pieces clicking together in his mind.

Echidna's black eyes remained steady. "Although it is something I would rather not believe, their request targets Artificial Spirits—those with the same physiology as me and the girl that accompanies you." She paused, letting her words sink in. "Because of this, is it not natural that we should approach you for a chat?"

Subaru took a step forward, his voice sharp. "How do you know Beatrice is an Artificial Spirit?"

Echidna blinked slowly, her tone unchanging. "The moment I laid eyes on her, I could sense it. Though I do not know how to describe the sensation, I am confident she could recognize me as well. Perhaps it is some form of Spirit detection. And venom is something I can't understand much like myself. "

Her explanation, though logical, didn't ease Subaru's tension. He could feel Venom's thoughts brushing against his own as the symbiote spoke to him mentally.

"At the very least, Beatrice hasn't said anything about this foxy scarf. But maybe she noticed something and just didn't say it out loud. Or maybe she thought, 'Eh, not my problem, I suppose!'"

Subaru frowned at the possibility. If Beatrice had detected something, why hadn't she spoken up? Was she trying to shoulder another burden on her own?

"Why does she have to carry all those burdens alone?" Subaru murmured, his heart clenching as if someone had stabbed him.

Echidna, meanwhile, continued to answer his questions with an almost mechanical precision, her neutrality only fueling his unease. But as he looked at her, he couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was far from coincidental.

Venom leaned closer to Subaru's ear with an exaggerated whisper. "Hey, buddy, I think she's telling the truth, but if not, we can always eat her later. No biggie!"

Subaru groaned, massaging his temples. "Venom, you can eat spirits?"

Venom grinned toothily. "Don't know unless I try!"

Subaru stared at the white fox, his mind swirling with questions and suspicions. The way she spoke, the way she carried herself—it was too similar to the Echidna he had encountered in the Witch's Tea Party. But there was also something different, something off.

Echidna tilted her head slightly, as if reading his thoughts. "I believe it is unavoidable that the child by your side could not detect me properly. I have many defects as a Spirit. I cannot mimic those so-called Contracts, and I cannot even use magic to defend myself. Although, to compensate for this, I am confident in my ability to hide my presence. This time, though, I am presently starting to doubt that confidence."

Subaru frowned, the tension in his body evident. "You can't form a Contract… Then, what is Anastasia to you?"

Venom, whose gooey head was hovering unnervingly close to Subaru's ear, chimed in, "So even defective spirits exist. Didn't expect that one!"

Anastasia gave a small shrug, unbothered by the intrusive commentary. "This child and I don't share the relationship of Spirit and Contractor. Our relationship's different to the kinda relationship Spirits and Contractors have… If I hafta call it anythin', I'd say that we're accomplices."

Echidna nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "I want to witness this child's future, so that is why I am following her around like this. Having been with her for a few years now, we have become something like conversation partners. From time to time, she even discusses her business matters with me."

Venom leaned in closer, his toothy grin widening. "To me, you both look like friends!"

The arctic fox chuckled lightly. Anastasia, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly, muttered, "Well, I s'pose that's not far from the truth."

Venom, however, was far from reassured. "So you're here, revealing all these secrets… just to gain our trust?"

Echidna's expression grew serious. "Yes. Furthermore, with the lives of the population of this entire city hanging in the balance… At this critical juncture, it falls to us to take action. Falling into internal strife because of a small, relatively insignificant detail is something to be avoided."

Anastasia crossed her arms and sighed. "I also really wanted to stop her, but… This child doesn't pay attention to others' advice at all after havin' made up her mind, so… I'd like for you to at least hear her out, for the time being."

Subaru nodded reluctantly.

Venom, meanwhile, stretched his gooey form toward them. "So you're against the Witch Cult's demands?"

"Of course," Anastasia said, her tone firm. "I won't comply with the Witch Cult's requests. But if both us and Natsuki-kun don't mention anythin', no one'll know what an Artificial Spirit even is. We need to know what's goin' on before convincin' anyone to reject the demand. But it seems Venom already introduced himself as an Artificial Spirit, so others might think the Witch Cult's asking for him."

Venom's eyes widened dramatically. "HOLY SHIT! Wait—isn't that better? No one knows the secret about Echidna or Beatrice being Artificial Spirits!"

Subaru blinked at the sudden outburst. "If Venom is okay with it, then I guess I'm okay with that too. I have no intention whatsoever of listening to anything that bunch has to say, so I strongly agree… but that doesn't mean all my skepticism about that fox calling itself Echidna is gone."

Anastasia chuckled. "Don't worry much 'bout the name. Does this Echidna you know really have such a poor character, Natsuki-kun? If so, it's rather troublesome to see you treat this child in such a way."

Subaru hesitated, his voice quiet. "I'll apologize if it's someone else entirely, but the timing is awful, and their attitude and speech patterns are almost identical. And…"

"And?" Anastasia prompted, her head tilting.

Subaru swallowed hard, unsure if he should reveal the nightmares that still haunted him.

Anastasia sighed. "Hey, hey, ya look like ya had a terrible experience."

Echidna smirked faintly. "Such intense hatred makes me actually curious about this other Echidna, but I suppose we should set that topic aside for now. Whether he believes us or not is irrelevant."

Venom leaned toward Subaru dramatically. "Trust me, that evil Echidna is the true Tea Shop owner scammer and bitch. Look at Subaru—he still gets nightmares whenever he sees tea or rabbits!"

Subaru turned and yelled, "She didn't ask you that!"

Anastasia ignored the outburst, her expression darkening. "The Witch Cult wants the Book of Wisdom brought to this city. Do you have any ideas, Natsuki-kun?"

Subaru froze, his eyes widening. "——Hk!?"

Anastasia's pale-green eyes narrowed. "Judgin' from that reaction, I'd say that Natsuki-kun knows somethin' 'bout it?"

Venom laughed. "Subaru, you're like an open book to everyone!"

Subaru sighed deeply but remained silent.

Anastasia smiled faintly, the first hint of hope flickering in her eyes. "No worries, that's excellent. It's been troublin' me quite a bit. Echidna doesn't know anythin', and neither does Julius nor any of the others."

Subaru's gaze shifted to the fox. "…That fox really said she doesn't know anything? Even though it's the Book of Wisdom, huh…"

Echidna's calm voice cut through the tension. "No, I am afraid I do not know anything. Then, if you allow me to speculate… the Echidna you know is connected to this Book of Wisdom, correct?"

Subaru nodded slowly. "Yes, that's right."

"Echidna," Subaru began, his voice steady but firm, "is the name of a Witch from a long time ago. In addition to the Witch of Envy, there were other Witches—powerful, wicked beings who left their mark on the world. She was one of them."

Anastasia's pale-green eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned forward. "Go on," she murmured, her tone inviting but edged with suspicion.

Subaru hesitated for a moment, his hand gripping the hilt of his unseen resolve. "She's long dead," he continued, "but her soul remained anchored to this world. I've met her before, and to say she left a strong impression would be putting it lightly."

Anastasia raised an eyebrow, a faint smile curving her lips. "Natsuki-kun, ya sound like someone recountin' a bad dream after too much spicy food. This story of yours… you sure you don't have a fever?"

Before Subaru could respond, a voice cut through the air like an ill-timed dagger. "No fever," Venom interjected, his tone half-serious and half-joking. "subaru's telling the truth, and those Witches? Yeah, they're incomprehensible and twisted. Believe me, if they can whip up something like Artificial Spirits, this much should be easy for you to swallow."

The arctic fox, silent until now, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Then… does that mean this Echidna you speak of is my parent?" she asked, her tone as measured and calm as still water.

Subaru's lips pressed into a thin line. Her words hit harder than he expected. This Echidna—this fox—was so detached from the name's sinister legacy. Her curiosity was genuine, almost childlike, and it grated against Subaru's deeper frustrations. He wasn't trying to conceal anything, but her innocent questioning stoked a quiet regret.

"That's… a complicated way to put it," Subaru muttered, his eyes glancing to the side.

The fox's gaze remained fixed on him. "Discovering the secret of my birth at such an unexpected time is… oddly exhilarating," she mused, her voice laced with quiet wonder. "If the opportunity arises, I'd like to hear more from you."

Venom snickered, his voice low and mocking. "Ah, I get it. You're one of my types. Bet you feel a weird sense of pride now, huh? Finding out your creator's a top-tier villain? Yeah, I can relate."

The fox raised her eyebrows in mild confusion, but her composure remained unbroken.

Subaru let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're incredibly clueless, you know that?" he muttered. "Even Beatrice knows more about her origins, and she's evasive at the best of times." He paused, glancing at her thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, Beatrice has never mentioned you before. Where exactly did you come from? What were you meant to do?"

The fox's pale expression softened as she offered a faint smile. "Regretfully, I am unaware of both," she admitted. "The circumstances of my birth, the purpose I was designed to fulfill… I am ignorant of it all. Right now, I am merely following the path of this rather interesting child."

Venom chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So basically… a nerd."

The fox tilted her head, her serene demeanor faltering into slight confusion. "A… nerd?" she repeated, the word foreign and awkward on her tongue. Anastasia mirrored her expression, curiosity flickering in her pale eyes.

Subaru groaned, his hand dropping to his side. "It means… someone overly obsessed with something and never come out of their world," he explained, his tone tired but patient. "Venom's just being obnoxious, as usual."

"Obnoxious?" Venom repeated, mockingly affronted. "I prefer the term 'charmingly blunt.'"

Anastasia chuckled softly, her voice breaking the tension like sunlight piercing through clouds. 

"Like contractor, like spirit"

Venom's voice broke through Subaru's internal musings, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "We can talk about the Evil Tea Lady later, but first, let's get back to that creepy book thing, the Book of Wisdom."

Subaru's jaw tensed as he nodded, drawing a deep breath before speaking. "The Book of Wisdom… It's the original, complete version of the Witch Cult's Gospels," he explained. "Unlike the incomplete copies the Cult uses, this one is a prototype. It contains prophecies—ones that describe the future. It follows principles similar to the Dragon History Stone."

Anastasia's sharp gaze locked onto Subaru, her mind already dissecting the implications. "So, it's akin to the Dragon History Stone," she remarked, almost to herself. "Highly credible, then. Do ya think the Witch made it herself?"

"She implied as much," Subaru said, his voice steady but shadowed with doubt. "But both copies that existed should have been incinerated. Beatrice's burned with the Forbidden Library, and Ram destroyed Roswaal's copy during the Sanctuary incident. If any other copies exist, I've never heard of them."

Anastasia's skepticism showed as her lips curved into a faint, amused smile. "But that's just what ya've been told, isn't it?"

Subaru frowned, her words stirring the doubts that already lingered in the corners of his mind. She wasn't wrong. For all his trust—or lack thereof—in Echidna, there was no guarantee the Witch had been entirely truthful. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that her words held weight.

"Not trustin' the person but trustin' her words," Anastasia mused, her finger tapping lightly against her chin. "A troublesome way of thinkin', Natsuki-kun."

Subaru's lips thinned. "I know," he admitted. "I obviously didn't intend to trust her, but somehow, I do when it comes to this. It's contradictory, isn't it?"

Venom chuckled in his usual sarcastic tone, drawing their attention. "Contradictory? Try exhausting. Subaru, you've got more trust issues than a romantic drama lead."

Ignoring Venom's jab, Subaru rubbed his temples as Anastasia shifted gears. "If we take Echidna's words at face value, there are three possibilities regarding the Book of Wisdom," she began, holding up her fingers as she counted. "First, the Witch lied, and more copies exist."

Subaru nodded slowly, acknowledging the point.

"The second," Anastasia continued, "is that the Witch Cult doesn't know the Book no longer exists and is just stirrin' up trouble for nothin'."

"And the third?" Subaru asked, genuinely curious about what conclusion Anastasia and Venom might draw.

Venom's voice interjected with surprising clarity. "The third is this: one of those books wasn't completely destroyed. Maybe some of it survived, and someone's been playing librarian with the remains."

Subaru blinked, momentarily dumbfounded. That possibility hadn't crossed his mind.

Anastasia agreed with a nod, tapping her temple as if connecting the dots. "Venom's got a point. If the book was created by a Witch, it might've been harder to destroy than we thought. Or maybe… it could even be restored."

Subaru frowned, his thoughts racing. "I can't say it's impossible," he admitted reluctantly. "But if that's true, who could've restored it? And why?"

Anastasia smiled coyly, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "That's the real question, isn't it? But think, Natsuki-kun. If you didn't personally see the book burn, and if it was left somewhere accessible, someone might've stumbled upon the remains. Or perhaps we're overthinkin' things, and it's the second hypothesis after all."

Subaru's mind churned through the scenarios. Beatrice's Book of Wisdom had burned to ash with the Forbidden Library, while Roswaal's copy had supposedly been destroyed by Ram's magic. Still, the thought lingered. What if the ashes hadn't scattered completely? What if someone had salvaged something?

Venom hummed, breaking Subaru's train of thought. "Books surviving fire, witches leaving creepy legacies… Yeah, that tracks. But hey, don't let it stress you out too much. It's probably just some weirdo with sticky fingers and a restoration hobby."

Subaru sighed, shaking his head as he finally voiced his conclusion. "If anyone had recovered something like that, it would've been someone from my faction, and they would've told me. I'm confident the Book of Wisdom isn't here in this city."

Venom's silence was unusual, but Subaru took it as agreement—or, at the very least, a lack of argument.

Anastasia, ever pragmatic, rested a hand on her hip and smiled lightly. "Well, in any case, it doesn't matter. I've no need to concern myself with a book I know nothin' about."

Subaru nodded, her words bringing a small sense of closure. Yet deep within him, doubts still lingered. If even a fragment of that cursed book survived, it could mean trouble beyond anything they were prepared to handle.

Anastasia crossed her arms and leaned back slightly, her gaze sweeping over Subaru. Her sharp, calculating eyes betrayed no hesitation. She exhaled through her nose, the sound almost dismissive, but her words carried a weight that pulled Subaru's attention entirely.

"Let's talk about Greed and Lust? Their demands are plain, simple, and utterly ridiculous. There's absolutely nothing worth discussing about their words," she said firmly.

Subaru tightened his fists at his sides, his expression darkening at the mere mention of those names. "Those two... no. Gluttony and Wrath are no better. But Regulus and Capella? They're the absolute worst."

The memory of Emilia being taken by Regulus flashed through his mind, along with the cruel mockery Capella made of love and life. A sharp sting shot through his injured right leg, a phantom reminder of his previous encounter with Greed. The mere thought of them made his blood boil.

Anastasia pressed on. "Lust's proposal is exactly what you'd expect from her warped mind.

'Send twenty pairs of men and women who love each other to the control tower-they won't be harmed. Can ya believe the audacity?"

Venom, ever-present and unpredictable, piped up with an edge of sarcasm. "Won't be harmed, huh? Sure, if turning people into bugs and dragons counts as a love tap!"

Subaru's fury erupted. "That lying bitch! What the hell does she mean by that!? She's the one turning people into freakish monsters for fun! She's out of her mind!"

Venom growled in agreement. "If she wants love so badly, maybe we should show her some of our tough love. Break a few bones-oh, wait, she probably doesn't care about those either."

Anastasia's finger tapped against her cheek thoughtfully. "From what I gather, she doesn't see her transformations as harm. She probably thinks she's doing them a favor. And Greed's demands? Well, they' re just as insane."

At the mention of Regulus, Subaru's jaw tightened. The image of the white-haired man played vividly in his mind-a deranged narcissist spouting absurdity while wielding terrifying power.

Subaru growled. "Beatrice, Emilia, and the Book of Wisdom... They want them? Over my dead body! The Witch Cult isn't getting their hands on a single one of them!"

Venom, his voice laced with dark glee, chimed in. "Yes, over their dead bodies. We'll squish them like the cockroaches they are. Messing with Venom is a death wish!"

Anastasia smiled at Subaru's fiery determination. "That's the spirit, Natsuki-kun and Venom-kun. Hearing ya say that so confidently is reassuring."

Her words carried a warmth that contrasted with her usual calculating demeanor. But beneath the surface, Anastasia's resolve burned just as brightly.

"I have no intention of handing over Echidna, either," she continued. "The Witch Cult's made both Crusch-san and Emilia suffer enough. I owe it to them-and everyone else in this city-to see this through to the end."

The white fox on Anastasia S shoulder tilted her head. "Oh, Ana, you're so militant. Do you really think you can match them?"

Anastasia chuckled. "I' m not backin' down. If we retreat now, we' Il lose everything. The only way forward is to crush them and force them to pay reparations."

Subaru felt a swell of admiration for her resolve, though he said nothing. Instead, he let her words fuel his own growing determination.

Anastasia's voice hardened, her gaze fixed on Subaru. "Sunaru can heal the people Capella twisted, and we' Il make you do it, and also Natsuki-kun, your beloved princess is out there waiting. We can't let this stand, right?"

Subaru's eyes blazed with fierce conviction. "Like you need to ask! Emilia will be my wife, damnit! I'm going to rescue Emilia, beat the crap out of that bastard Gluttony, and get Rem's memories back! And Capella? I' II make her apologize to every single person she's hurt before I drag her down!"

Venom cackled in delight. "Now this is what I'm talking about! Let's show them what happens when they mess with Venom and Subaru!"

Echidna, watching from Anastasia's shoulder, let out a soft laugh. "My, such fiery determination from both of you. It's reckless and irrational, but I find it... charming."

Anastasia smirked. "Reckless or not, we're alive, and as long as we're alive, we've got a chance. The only tragic ending here is if we throw our lives away."

Her fierce words hung in the air, igniting the spirits of those around her.

Subaru clenched his fists, his heart pounding with resolve. The battles they had fought before had ended in failure, but the next one would not. No one else would die. They would survive. They would win.

And when they did, Subaru vowed, the Witch Cult would rue the day they ever crossed him.

As Anastasia expression softened for a moment, glancing toward her scarf.

"I forgot to ask earlier," Anastasia began, her tone uncharacteristically hopeful. "How did you save Crusch-san? Is it possible to save the other innocent people who've fallen victim to Capella?"

Venom's voice echoed, bold and confident. "We can turn them back into humans. Just show us the way."

Anastasia's eyes lit up with relief, her usual calculating demeanor replaced by a rare glimpse of raw emotion. "Then let's not waste time." She hurried toward the door ahead, Subaru and Venom trailing closely behind.

Echidna's voice piped up from Anastasia's scarf, her tone laced with amusement. "Then I'll take my leave for now. Let's meet again later, Venom… and Subaru."

Venom chuckled as the scarf went silent, remarking, "What a strange little lady."

Venom says to Subaru mind 'Now we can get Dragon blood from Capella's victims.' 

Subaru nodded his head but he can feel venom was determined to save them. And he knows the reason behind it, because he become venom and lost his humanity. So he wants to change the fate of Capella's victims

Anastasia led them into a larger chamber, its atmosphere heavy with despair. Subaru's stomach churned as he saw the grotesque forms scattered across the room—flies the size of dogs, buzzing faintly, and in the corner, a massive black dragon, its eyes brimming with sorrow.

Venom hesitated, his hand clenching into a fist. "So, this is what she's done to them…"

"They're all victims," Anastasia said softly, her voice steady despite the horrifying sight. "And yet, they've retained their human consciousness. I can't say if that's a mercy or a curse."

Venom's tone turned somber but resolute. "I understand what it feels like to lose yourself, to become something else entirely. But I swear, I'll make them human again… and Capella will pay for every single one of them."

Subaru felt a flicker of determination ignite within him. Venom's resolve mirrored his own.

As the victims turned their attention toward Subaru and Venom, the dragon let out a low growl, defensive at first, but there was no malice in its eyes—only a deep, aching sorrow.

"I understand your pain," Venom muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "But it ends now."

Before Subaru could react, his body transformed, the familiar black tendrils of Venom overtaking him in an instant. His hands morphed into clawed tendrils, reaching out to the victims. The dragon recoiled momentarily, its instincts flaring, but it quickly sensed no harm was intended.

The room glowed faintly as Venom's tendrils connected with each victim, one by one. The grotesque forms of flies began to shimmer, melting away to reveal human figures underneath. The dragon's massive body began to shrink, its scales giving way to flesh.

When the transformation was complete, every victim stood once more as a human, their hollow eyes glancing around in confusion and fear.

Anastasia's voice quivered with emotion. "You… you really did it." 

But Julius, who had silently entered the room, frowned as he observed the victims. "They're not moving," he said, his voice tight with concern. "They're alive, but… they show no signs of humanity."

Venom, reverting Subaru's body to normal, sighed heavily. "Just as Anastasia suspected. Their minds have been damaged. It'll take months, maybe years, for them to recover their sense of self. But at least they're alive. That's what matters."

Anastasia nodded, her expression firm despite the weight of the revelation. "Alive is enough. The rest, we can work toward."

Subaru lowered his gaze, guilt gnawing at him. He knew this wasn't a perfect victory, but it was still a step forward.

Before they could dwell further, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall.

"Captain!"

Subaru turned to see Garfiel charging toward him, tears in his eyes. Relief washed over Subaru at the sight of his comrade, but Garfiel's expression quickly shifted to anger as his eyes landed on Venom.

"You demonic slime!" Garfiel roared, his body a blur as he lunged toward Venom with a ferocious punch.

Venom reacted instinctively, transforming Subaru's arm into a massive black claw to catch Garfiel's blow. The impact sent shockwaves through the room, shaking the walls and stirring the air with sheer force.

"Calm down, kid," Venom growled, his tone half-annoyed, half-amused. "I'm not some Bad Slime, here to eat your brains."

The tension in the air lingered as the two locked gazes, the strength of their clash evident in the vibrations still humming through the floor.

To be continued...